Form 22-5495 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Under

OMB Approved No. 2900-0099
Respondent Burden: 20 Minutes

REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF PROGRAM OR PLACE OF TRAINING
SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
(Under Provisions of Chapter 35, Title 38, U.S.C.)
INTERNET VERSION AVAILABLE
You can submit this application over the Internet at the following site: www.gibill.va.gov
PART I - ALL APPLICANTS
1. NAME OF APPLICANT (First, Middle Initial, Last)

VA DATE STAMP
(For VA Use Only)

2. MAILING ADDRESS (Number and street or rural route, city or P.O., State and 9 DIGIT ZIP Code)

3A. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF APPLICANT

3B. DATE OF BIRTH OF APPLICANT

4A. SEX OF APPLICANT

4B. APPLICANT’S E-MAIL ADDRESS

FEMALE
MALE
5A. RELATIONSHIP OF APPLICANT TO VETERAN
SPOUSE

ADOPTED CHILD

SURVIVING SPOUSE

STEPCHILD

DAY

3C. VA FILE NUMBER

3D. SUFFIX LETTER

5B. APPLICANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER (Including Area Code)
EVENING

CHILD

PART II - INFORMATION CONCERNING DISABLED OR DECEASED VETERAN OR INDIVIDUAL ON ACTIVE DUTY
6A. NAME OF VETERAN OR INDIVIDUAL ON ACTIVE DUTY ON WHOSE ACCOUNT BENEFITS ARE CLAIMED (First-Middle Initial-Last)

6B. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

7. DATE OF BIRTH

6C. VA FILE NUMBER (If known)

8. BRANCH OF SERVICE

9. SERVICE NUMBER (If known)

10. DATE OF DEATH OR DATE
LISTED AS MISSING IN ACTION
OR P.O.W.

PART III - SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING APPLICANT
11. IF YOU ARE THE SPOUSE OF A DISABLED VETERAN, IS DIVORCE OR ANNULMENT PENDING?
YES
NO
12A. IF YOU ARE THE SURVIVING SPOUSE OF A DECEASED VETERAN,
HAVE YOU REMARRIED SINCE HIS OR HER DEATH?

YES

NO

12B. DATE YOU REMARRIED

(If "Yes," complete Item 12B)

NOTE - COMPLETE ITEM 13 ONLY IF YOU ARE A CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
13A. DO YOU EXPECT TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM YOUR AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT
13B. SOURCE OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYMENT
FOR THE SAME COURSE FOR WHICH YOU EXPECT TO RECEIVE VA EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE? (If you check "Yes," show the source of these funds in Item 13B)
YES

NO

PART IV - APPLICANT’S MILITARY SERVICE
14. HAVE YOU EVER SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMED FORCES? (Including an initial period of active duty for training of 3 months or more OR subsequent
periods of active duty for training of 6 months or more) (If "No," skip this part and continue to Part V)
YES

NO

15. INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PERIODS OF ACTIVE DUTY (Please complete Items 15A through 15D for each period of your active duty)
A. DATE ENTERED
ACTIVE DUTY

VA FORM
FEB 2007

22-5495

B. DATE SEPARATED
FROM ACTIVE DUTY

C. BRANCH OF SERVICE OR RESERVE
OR GUARD COMPONENT

EXISTING STOCKS OF VA FORM 22-5495, JAN 2004,
WILL BE USED.

D. CHARACTER OF
DISCHARGE

PART V - YOUR PROGRAM
16. HOW WILL YOU TAKE TRAINING ?
A.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

D.

FARM COOPERATIVE

B.

CORRESPONDENCE COURSE - Spouse or Surviving Spouse Only

E.

LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION TEST

C.

APPRENTICESHIP OR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

F.

NATIONAL ADMISSIONS EXAMS OR NATIONAL
EXAMS FOR CREDIT

17A. WHAT EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL OR VOCATIONAL GOAL ARE
YOU WORKING TOWARD?

17B. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE REQUESTING?

17C. IF CHANGING SCHOOLS, GIVE NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS OF NEW
SCHOOL OR TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND
(If applicable)

17D. NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS OF OLD OR CURRENT SCHOOL (OR
TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT)

17E. TELL US WHEN AND WHY YOU STOPPED TRAINING AT YOUR PRIOR SCHOOL OR TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT. IF NECESSARY, CONTINUE IN ITEM 18
"REMARKS"OR ON A SEPARATE SHEET.

18. REMARKS (If more space is needed, use the reverse or attach a separate sheet of paper)

CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT

I CERTIFY THAT all statements in my application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
PENALTY - Willful false statements as to a material fact in a claim for education benefits is a punishable offense and may result in the
forfeiture of these or other benefits and in criminal penalties.
19A. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT (DO NOT PRINT)

19B. DATE SIGNED

INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
FOR COMPLETING THE REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF PROGRAM OR PLACE OF TRAINING
SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
This form is available on the Internet. To submit your application electronically, go to www.gibill.va.gov and click on "Education
Benefits", then on "Apply For GI Bill Benefits On Line". Follow the instructions in VONAPP (Veterans On-Line Application).
To complete a "PDF" version of this form, go to www.gibill.va.gov and click on "Education Benefits", then "Education Forms", and
scroll down to VA Form 22-5495 and click on Adobe PDF. (You must then print the completed PDF form. After completing and
printing, see HOW TO FILE YOUR CLAIM at the end of these instructions.)
Tear off these instructions from the remainder of the form. Placing these instructions next to the application form can assist you as
you complete each item.
If you submit your application electronically, VA will automatically transfer your application to the Regional Processing Office that
will handle your claim.
If you submit your application on the paper version, see HOW TO FILE YOUR CLAIM at the end of these instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC ITEMS
NOTE: These numbers match the Item numbers on the application.

ITEM 3A. Show your Social Security Number. (VA cannot
process your application without this information.)

ITEM 15. Benefits under this program are not payable while
you are serving on active duty in the Armed Forces.

ITEM 3C. Your VA FILE NUMBER is the number that appears
on your VA benefit checks and all mail that we’ve sent you.
Usually, this VA FILE NUMBER is the veteran’s Social Security
Number; however, this FILE NUMBER can be an eight digit
number.

ITEM 16. Self explanatory, except for the following items:

ITEM 3D. Your SUFFIX LETTER indicates your relationship to
the veteran. The spouse or surviving spouse automatically gets the
suffix of "W". Each child automatically gets a suffix with a
different letter. (The first child that applies for VA education
benefits automatically receives the "A" suffix. The second child
that applies automatically receives the "B" suffix, and so forth.)
ITEM 6C. VA may have assigned the veteran or individual an
eight-digit file number. If you know this number, write it in the
space provided.
ITEM 11 and 12. Eligibility will terminate in the event a spouse is
divorced from the veteran or in the event a surviving spouse is
remarried, unless the remarriage is both after the surviving spouse’s
57th birthday and on or after January 1, 2004.
Note: A surviving spouse who terminates a remarriage may
re-establish eligibility, but will not qualify for an extension of the
ten-year or twenty-year eligibility period.

Check the "Licensing or Certification Test" block if you want
reimbursement for a licensing or certification test.
(A licensing test is a test offered by a state, local, or federal
agency which is required by law to practice an occupation.
A certification test is a test designed to provide an
affirmation of an individual’s qualification in a specific
occupation.)
The best way to claim this licensing or certification benefit is
for you to send VA a copy of your test results with a note or a
VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, stating
that you are requesting reimbursement.
Include the following:
1. The name of the licensing or certification test you took
2. The name and address of the organization issuing the
license or certificate (not necessarily the organization that
administered the test)
3. The date you took the test
4. The cost of the test
5. The following signed statement: "I authorize release of
my test information to VA."

Continuation of ITEM 16.
Check the "National admission exams or national exams for
credit" block if you want VA to reimburse you for the fee you
paid for taking one or more national tests.
National tests for admission to institutions of higher learning
include the following: the ACT, the Dental Admissions Test,
the Graduate Record Exam, the Graduate Management
Admissions Test, the Law School Admission Test, the Medical
College Admissions Test, the Miller Analogies Test, the
Optometry Admissions Test, the Pharmacy College Admissions
Test, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, and the Test of English as a
Foreign Language.
National tests providing an opportunity for course credit at
institutions of higher learning include the following: the
Advanced Placement exam, the College-Level Examination
Program, and the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests.

Include the following:
1. The name of the test you took.
2. The name and address of the organization offering the test.
3. The date you took the test.
4. The cost of taking the test.
5. The following signed statement: "I request reimbursement
for the cost of a national test."
ITEM 17A. If you have decided on your educational, professional
or vocational goal, list your final objective (for example, Masters
Degree, Certified Public Accountant, Computer Technician).
ITEM 17C. If you have selected your new school or training
establishment, state the complete name and mailing address of this
facility.
ITEM 18. Use this space to provide information which does not fit
elsewhere on this form or which you think will help VA process
your claim. Refer to other item numbers on this form to help us
match your answers to the correct question. Attach additional
sheets of paper if necessary.

HOW TO FILE YOUR CLAIM
If you have already completed this application and submitted it using the Internet, do the following:
If you have selected a school or training establishment,
Send VA your signature to finalize your Internet submission,
Notify the veteran’s certifying official at your school or training establishment that you have applied for VA education
benefits, and
Ask the veteran’s certifying official to certify your school attendance.
If you have not selected a school or training establishment,
Send VA your signature to finalize your Internet submission, and
Wait for VA to process your application and notify you of the decision concerning your eligibility for education assistance.
If you have not already submitted this application using the Internet, do the following:
Mail your completed application to the Regional Processing Office in the region of your home address using the chart below.
Later, after you have selected a school or training establishment, notify the veteran’s certifying official that you have
applied for VA education benefits, and
Ask the veteran’s certifying official to certify your school attendance.
MORE HELP - If you need more help completing this application or you want information about our work-study program, call VA
toll-free at 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). If you are hearing impaired, call us toll-free at 1-800-829-4833. You can also get
education assistance after normal business hours at our education Internet site www.gibill.va.gov .

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Eastern Region:
VA Regional Office
P. O. Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616

Central Region:
VA Regional Office
P. O. Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830

SERVES THE FOLLOWING STATES

CT
MD
NY
VT

DE
MA
OH
VA

DC
NH
PA
WV

SERVES THE FOLLOWING STATES

ME
NJ
RI
Foreign Schools

CO
KS
MO
SD

Western Region:
VA Regional Office
P. O. Box 8888
Muskogee, OK 74402-8888
AR
ID
OK
UT

AZ
LA
OR
WA

IL
MI
NE
WI

IN
MN
ND
WY

Southern Region:
VA Regional Office
P. O. Box 100022
Decatur, GA 30031-7022

SERVES THE FOLLOWING STATES

AK
HI
NV
TX

IA
KY
MT
TN

SERVES THE FOLLOWING STATES

CA
NM
Philippines

AL
NC

FL
PR

GA
SC

MS
US Virgin
Islands

PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been authorized under the Privacy Act of 1974 or Title 38,
Code of Federal Regulations 1.526 for routine uses as identified in VA’s system of records, 58VA21/22, Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records - VA,
and published in the Federal Register. An example of routine use allows VA to send educational forms or letters with a veteran’s identifying information to the veteran’s school or
training establishment to (1) assist the veteran in the completion of claims forms or (2) for VA to obtain further information as may be necessary from the school for VA to
properly process the veteran’s education claim or to monitor his or her progress during training. Your obligation to respond is required to obtain or retain education benefits. The
requested information is considered relevant and necessary to determine the maximum benefits under the law. Payment of education benefits cannot be made unless the
information is furnished as required by existing law (38 U.S.C. 3513). The responses you submit are considered confidential (38 U.S.C. 5701). Information is submitted is
subject to verification through computer matching programs with other agencies.
RESPONDENT BURDEN: We need this information to determine your eligibility for education benefits (38 U.S.C. 3513). Title 38, United States Code, allows us to ask for this
information. We estimate that you will need an average of 20 minutes to review the instructions, find the information, and complete this form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a
collection of information unless a valid OMB control number is displayed. You are not required to respond to a collection of information if this number is not displayed. Valid
OMB control numbers can be located on the OMB Internet Page at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/library/OMBINV.VA.EPA.html#VA. If desired, you can call 1-888-GI-BILL-1
(1-888-442-4551) to get information on where to send comments or suggestions about this information collection.